Nong Khai

Udon Thani, a major city in northern Isan, serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ban Chiang Archaeological Site and itself offers a lively market scene and relaxed parks.

The Nam Nao National Park is located in the border region of Phetchabun and Chaiyaphum provinces and is one of Thailand's older protected areas. On a high plateau, sparse pine forests, dry mountain rainforests, and bamboo thickets alternate, giving the park a different character than the tropical parks in the south of the country.The park is considered one of the more important refuges for large mammals in the Northeast: Wild elephants, Gaur, and Sambar deer live here, alongside a diverse bird population. Hiking trails lead to viewpoints at the edge of the plateau and to several waterfalls, which carry the most water during the rainy season.The national road between Lom Sak and Chum Phae traverses the area, making access straightforward. Bungalows and a campsite are available at the park headquarters. Due to the high altitude, temperatures drop noticeably at night, sometimes significantly in December and January.

Khon Kaen, centrally located in Isan, is an administrative, economic, and university city. Its large university shapes the cityscape: with more cafés, bookstores, and evening venues than in comparable provincial towns, and the city serves many travelers as a convenient stopover on their journey through the region.The landmark is Wat Nong Wang on the shore of Bueng Kaen Nakhon lake: a nine-story pagoda whose floors house museum rooms on the city's history, offering panoramic views from the top gallery. The lake itself features a circular path, popular with strollers in the evenings.The city's National Museum displays finds from Isan, including objects from the Dvaravati period and prehistoric pottery. The province is known for Mudmee silk, an Ikat weaving technique primarily practiced in Chonnabot district.On weekends, a central street transforms into a pedestrian zone with stalls offering Isan cuisine and handicrafts. The cooler dry season from November to February is particularly pleasant.

Phu Thap Boek is the highest point in Phetchabun province, situated at an altitude of over 1,700 meters. The mountaintop is largely treeless, offering unobstructed views of the surrounding mountain ranges, and often collecting a sea of fog in the valleys in the mornings.The slopes are covered with terraced cabbage fields, cultivated by Hmong families. Simple campsites and guesthouses have sprung up around the fields, as many visitors stay overnight to experience the sunrise above the clouds.Temperatures drop significantly at night, so warm clothing is advisable even during the dry season. The access road features steep, partly unpaved switchbacks; standard rental cars and scooters reach their limits here, which is why the final section is often covered by local drivers in 4x4 pickups. The cool season from November to February is the most popular travel time.

The Phetchabun Mountain Region in the heart of Thailand is a picturesque highland, known for its mist-shrouded peaks, cool temperatures, and lush landscapes. It attracts travelers with breathtaking views, idyllic mountain villages, and a wealth of nature experiences, often referred to as the 'Switzerland of Thailand'.